Glen Pearson

Glen Pearson MP
Member of the Canadian Parliament for London North Centre
In office November 27, 2006 – 2011
Preceded by	Joe Fontana
Succeeded by	Susan Truppe
Personal details
Born	December 26, 1950 Calgary, Alberta
Political party	Liberal
Spouse(s)	Jane Roy
Residence	London, Ontario
Profession	firefighter
Religion	United Church of Canada

Glen Douglas Pearson (born December 26, 1950) is a politician in Ontario, Canada. He is a former Member of Parliament for London North Centre, and is a member of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Life and career

Pearson was born in Calgary, Alberta. He is a professional firefighter in London, Ontario, well known for his charitable and humanitarian activities. He retired as a captain in the London Fire Department, where he worked for 29 years, but he is perhaps better known as the co-founder and volunteer executive director of the London Food Bank for over 25 years.^[1] He has also previously been involved in the Ontario Association of Food Banks as a Board member, serving one term as Chairperson.^[2]

Since 1998, along with his wife, Jane Roy, Pearson has worked on human rights and development projects in Sudan. This work included building schools and infrastructure, general community development and campaigning against slavery.^[3]

On August 15, 2007, Pearson reunited his Sudanese born adoptive daughter, Abuk Roy, with her twin sister, Achan and brother Ater, who were previously thought to be dead.^[4]

Politics

Pearson originally stood as the Liberal candidate in London—Fanshawe in the general election of January 23, 2006, losing to Irene Mathyssen of the New Democratic Party.^[5]

Following the resignation of Joe Fontana in London North Centre, he was elected in the resulting by-election on November 27, 2006.^[6] His closest competition was Green Party of Canada leader Elizabeth May, who received 26% of the vote.^[7]

His campaign emphasized environmental, health care and accountability issues.

He supported Stéphane Dion in the Liberal leadership election, and introduced him on the night of the candidate speeches.^[8]

Pearson was re-elected in the 2008 federal election,^[1] but was defeated by Conservative Susan Truppe when he ran for re-election in 2011.^[9]

Electoral record

Canadian federal election, 2011
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	∆%	Expenditures
	Conservative	Susan Truppe	19,468	36.96	+3.99	–
	Liberal	Glen Pearson	17,803	33.80	-5.33	–
	New Democratic	German Gutierrez	12,996	24.67	+7.20	–
	Green	Mary Ann Hodge	2,177	4.13	-6.30	–
	Animal Alliance	AnnaMaria Valastro	229	0.43	–	–
Total valid votes			52,673	100.00	–
Total rejected ballots			231	0.44	+0.03	–
Turnout			52,904	59.69	–
Eligible voters			88,624	–	–

London North Centre - Canadian federal election, 2008

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	Glen Pearson	21,018	39.13%	+4.27%
	Conservative	Paul Van Meerbergen	17,712	32.97%	+8.49%
	New Democratic	Steve Holmes	9,387	17.47%	+3.39%
	Green	Mary Ann Hodge	5,603	10.43%	-15.41%
Total valid votes			53,720
Total rejected ballots			222
Turnout			53,942

Canadian federal by-election, November 27, 2006: London North Centre Resignation of Joe Fontana
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	∆%
	Liberal	Glen Pearson	13,287	34.85%	−5.27
	Green	Elizabeth May	9,864	25.87%	+20.38
	Conservative	Dianne Haskett	9,309	24.42%	−5.48
	New Democratic	Megan Walker	5,388	14.13%	−9.62
	Progressive Canadian	Steven Hunter	145	0.38%	−0.09
	Independent	Robert Ede	77	0.20%	–
	Canadian Action	Will Arlow	53	0.14%	–
Total			38,123	100.00%

London—Fanshawe - Canadian federal election, 2006

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	New Democratic	Irene Mathyssen	16,067
	Liberal	Glen Pearson	15,199
	Conservative	Dan Mailer	12,034
	Green	David McLaughlin	1803

References

1. "An unpolitical farewell". London Free Press. May 16, 2011. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
2. "Rookie Liberal MP Pearson's Sudan story". The Hill Times. January 28, 2008. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
3. "Lost and found in Africa". Toronto Star. April 25, 2007. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
4. "MP reunites long-lost Sudanese siblings in Canada". CTV News. August 17, 2007. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
5. "Canada Votes 2006: London-Fanshawe". CBC News. January 23, 2006. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
6. "Tories shut out of two federal byelections". Canada.com. November 27, 2006. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
7. "Green party 'has arrived' after finishing 2nd in byelection". CBC News. November 28, 2006. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
8. "Dion promises Liberals will "be ready for an election"". Canada.com. December 4, 2006. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
9. "London North Centre turns blue". The Londoner. May 5, 2011. Retrieved 2015-10-24.

External links

• Glen Pearson – Parliament of Canada biography